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January 30, 2009

Spin Cycle: The Music in my Mind

My life is one big concert. Depending on the day, a different conductor will lead the orchestra in providing my theme music to guide me through life's daily grind, sometimes lifting me up with a light jazzy melody when my mood is grim, sometimes a bright hot rock beat to stimulate my mood. (I wonder if that would stimulate the economy. Can we try it?)

My father was/is a lover of instrumental pieces. His old 45's and vinyls are still safely stored and his sonar is still active when any child under the age of "Don't touch that!" is within 5 feet of his precious records. One of the radio stations I listen to during the day (when Sprite doesn't have control of my van's sound system) frequently plays one of my dad's favorites, Al Hirt's "Cotton Candy", and I am brought back to my childhood days of listening to the strong brassy sound and being intimidated by such a big noise.

My mother was a big fan of Barbra Streisand and the Bee Gees. The "Guilty" album was usually waiting in their 80's model Grand Marquis and played on the hour long trips to Miami to see the grandparents. Neil Diamond's "Jazz Singer" also made cameo appearances. (Why, yes, I do know most of the words to "Love on the Rocks", why do you ask?) (Is it wrong that I referred to "They're Coming to America" as the Hebrew National Anthem?)

As I grew up, my tastes ran from whatever was current (New Kids on the Block, Debbie Gibson) to what stayed (Bon Jovi) to the newer fresher sounds (Jason Mraz) and even the standards singing hotties (Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble). I still like to hear the sounds of my youth when I find an 80's station and even lose myself in "In the Mood" by Glen Miller. ("In the Mood" was typically the first song to start an orchestra set on the cruise ships, so that tune brings my sea legs back pretty quickly.)

Even Sprite has developed her own taste in music. And her own recurring tune. (Or stolen mine.)

Last week, as I was dressing her, she began singing. "Doopy doopy doo, doopy doopy doo." My ears picked up on it and I couldn't put my finger on what I was hearing out of her and why it was so familiar, so I sat back and stared at her for a few seconds. Sprite looked at me. "Mommy, you sing. Sing, 'Doopy doopy'."

What? What was she-? Oh... And I began to laugh. I didn't realize the (tuneless) song I had been singing for so long had become so expected to her, that when I didn't automatically begin, she did it for me.

From the time she was able to start rolling over (and away) on the changing table, I needed a way to keep her distracted from the task at hand (escaping) so I could finish mine (changing diaper, changing clothes, removing noxious fumes from our immediate area). So I would "scat", for lack of a better term. Random words, sounds, notes, anything vocal to keep her focused on me while I focused on more important matters. This always worked.

Over time, the "scat" evolved into "doopy doopy doo". Over and over, this became the theme song for our cleaning sessions. I always sang. She always stayed still.

And now here she was, "scatting" right back at me. Since that day of enlightenment, I hear it all the time. "Doopy doopy doo" when she's coloring. "Doopy doopy doo" when she's putting on her shoes (or trying to). She took my little distraction technique and turned it into her daily task anthem.

It could be worse. I could be forced to endure repeated requests of "Once Upon A Dream".... Oh, wait..

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My play list got a lot longer this week! I've enjoyed reading about the way certain songs have influenced people to songs becoming a time line to life. Please take a moment to click on the links and enjoy! Just make sure your IPod has the room!

Seriously, I have a Battle of the Bands going on in my head right now and I don't know how I'm going to get to sleep. I may need to borrow Sprite's white noise machine. (Just for tonight. I'll give it back.)

Next week's assignment: Cost Cutting.

Damn you, economy! Everywhere we look, jobs are being lost, prices are going up, homes are being foreclosed, the word "recession" is no longer being whispered, but roared.

So, here on the Spin Cycle, we're Spinning out ways to save money. Any tips, ideas, ways to spread the budget, we're listening!

From cooking to cleaning to travel to shopping to recreation, if you've got a suggestion, chances are it's new to someone else. So, adjust your helping hats and let us know what you do to save money.

If you have a post you've already written, recycle it! (Ooh! Saving time AND giving back to the environment! Bonus!) Just slap a foreword on it and link it up!

Remember to have those Spins in by Febuary 6th!

By the way, if you have an idea for a topic to be featured on the Spin Cycle, let me know! Email me at spriteskeeper[at]live[dot]com and let me know what you'd like to see. We'll do it and give YOU the credit!

I love me some Neil Diamond and Harry Connick Jr! I also love that Sprite picked up on your love of music and made it her own.

Please don't kill me, I completely forgot to spin this week. I'm ashamed and embarrassed and afraid to face you. The week got away from us and we're all still sick. I promise not to let it happen again. :(

Jonathan could never sing the songs I make up because I can't even remember them! I just make 'em up as I go. That is probably why he looks at me with such a confused little expression. That and he's probably thinking "What a weirdo my mom is. Will this be passed down to me?!"

I think the Jazz Singer was a mandatory in every Jewish home in 1980... "love on the rocks...ain't no surprise... pour me a drink... and I'll tell you some lies...."
Wow, that recall was WAY too easy!
Great spin this week!

I grew up hearing (and loving) all kinds of music, and thought it was cool that you mentioned some of my favorites (especially Jason Mraz and Michael Buble-love them!) So cool that Sprite scats-we're not as talented at improv over here-lol! My spin is up, hope it isn't too late: http://mybellafiglia.blogspot.com/2009/01/spin-cycle-life-is-song.html